Frameless picture hanging

ABSTRACT

A device for detachably securing a picture in vertical position against a wall by use of first and second vertical rails secured to a wall in spaced parallel positions. Each rail has a vertically elongated channel with a vertical central section therein. A separate downwardly extending hook is slidably disposed at the top edge of the picture and is mounted in desired position therein. A separate upwardly extending hook is disposed in a selected one of a plurality of vertically spaced positions at the bottom edge of the picture and is mounted therein in this position. The picture is held removably between the hooks.

United States Patent 1 Norton 1 July 22, 1975 FRAMELESS PICTURE HANGING l76] lnventor' Thomas K Norton PO. Box 29 Pn'mary Ellaminer william Schultz Cambridge, Mass. 02139 [57] ABSTRACT 7 1973 A device for detachably securing a picture in vertical [21 Appl. No.: 425,998 position against a wall by use of first and second vertical rails secured to a wall in spaced parallel positions.

[52] U S Cl 248/476 Each rail has a vertically elongated channel with a ver- [511 tical central section therein. A separate downwardly 58 Field of Search 248/449, 477 478. 488 exterldmg Smubly l' the picture and is mounted in desired position therein.

[56] References Cited A separate upwardly extending hook is disposed in selected one of a plurality of vertically spaced posi- UNITED STATES PATENTS tions at the bottom edge of the picture and is mounted 2696962 1211954 (gloss g3713/47; therein in thi position. The picture is held removably 2,904,290 9 1959 ullcn eta 4 77 between hooks 2,987,832 6/1961 Urbain ct alt 248/477 X L 3.363s?! H1968 Mazih ct a1. 248/477 x 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures 1 FRAMELESS PICTURE HANGING SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I have invented a new type of structure for mounting pictures, particularly pictures without a frame, against a wall in such manner that pictures of different dimensions can be easily mounted and removed and replaced with pictures of different dimensions as desired. The structure is inexpensive, can be inconspicious, and will not damage the pictures.

To this end, I employ first and second vertically elongated rails detachably securable to a suitable wall in spaced parallel positions. Each rail has a vertically elongated channel with a vertical central section therein. Disposed in each channel is a vertically slidable downwardly extending hook together with means for holding this hook in the section. Also disposed in each channel below the downwardly extending hook is an upwardly extending hook which can be moved up or down into any one of a plurality of vertically spaced positions together with means for holding this hook in the section.

The hooks thus can be moved to engage a picture and hold same in place for viewing. The hooks can be easily moved individually to accommodate differently dimensioned pictures without frame.

Depending upon the size of the pictures and the length of the track, a number of pictures. vertically spaced, can be mounted. with separate hooks, along each pair of rails.

By making the structure described above somewhat more rugged, framed pictures can be supported in the same manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a perspective view of one of the rails used in my invention showing holes running evenly spaced along the entire length;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail cross sectional view of the upper hook and surrounding structure as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail cross sectional view of the lower hook and surrounding structure as shown in FIG. 1: and

FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, first and second parallel vertical rails (only one of which is shown) are secured to a wall in parallel spaced position. The rails can be glued to the wall or secured by nails, screws or any other method.

Each rail has a vertically elongated channel 12 with opposite recessed vertically elongated edges 14 and a centrally disposed elongated section having vertically spaced holes 16 therein. The rails are aligned with each hole in one section being horizontally aligned with a corresponding hole in the other section. The entire lengths of the first and second rails are identical with holes 16 running evenly spaced along the entire length.

A downwardly extending hook 18 is disposed slidably in the top end of each channel and is held in the section by clip 20 which has a recess in which the vertical shank of the hook 18 is disposed and which extends into edges 14. The hook and clip are slidable up and down and do not make use of holes 16.

An upwardly extending hook 22 is disposed in the bottom end of the channel and has a horizontal finger 24 engaging any selected one of holes 16 to determine its vertical position. Another clip 20 again having a recess engaging the vertical shank holds the hook in the section.

A picture 30 without frame can thus be removably disposed between the hooks.

In use, the hooks 22 are horizontally aligned; the bottom edge of the picture is disposed in the hooks 22; and hooks 18 are slid downward to engage the top edge of the picture, thus holding same in position.

Moreover, by using additional sets of hooks and clips with the same rails, pictures can be removably disposed in a column, one below another as previously described.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

Having thus described this invention, what is asserted as new is:

l. A device for detachably securing a picture in vertical position against a wall, said device comprising:

first and second vertical rails having vertical recessed channels and secured to the wall in spaced parallel position;

first and second downwardly extending hooks having downwardly pointing shanks; first and second plates. each first and second plate being detachably and slidably engagable with a corresponding vertical channel and having a recess receiving a corresponding one of the shanks of the first and second hooks to hold the first and second hooks in desired positions in said rails, each channel having a plurality of vertically spaced openings;

third and fourth upwardly extending hooks having upwardly pointing shanks, the top end of each shank of the third and fourth hooks having a horizontal finger engagable with any opening in the corresponding channel; and

third and fourth plates, each third and fourth plate being detachably and slidably engagable with a corresponding vertical channel and having a recess re ceiving a corresponding one of the shanks of the third and fourth hooks in desired positions in the rails, whereby the four hooks can be adjusted in position to accommodate different sized pictures. the first and second hooks engaging the top edge of the picture, the third and fourth hooks engaging the bottom edge of the picture. 

1. A device for detachably securing a picture in vertical position against a wall, said device comprising: first and second vertical rails having vertical recessed channels and secured to the wall in spaced parallel position; first and second downwardly extending hooks having downwardly pointing shanks; first and second plates, each first and second plate being detachably and slidably engagable with a corresponding vertical channel and having a recess receiving a corresponding one of the shanks of the first and second hooks to hold the first and second hooks in desired positions in said rails, each channel having a plurality of vertically spaced openings; third and fourth upwardly extending hooks having upwardly pointing shanks, the top end of each shank of the third and fourth hooks having a horizontal finger engagable with any opening in the corresponding channel; and third and fourth plates, each third and fourth plate being detachably and slidably engagable with a corresponding vertical channel and having a recess receiving a corresponding one of the shanks of the third and fourth hooks in desired positions in the rails, whereby the four hooks can be adjusted in position to accomodate different sized pictures, the first and second hooks engaging the top edge of the picture, the third and fourth hooks engaging the bottom edge of the picture. 